* Play narrates true story of Pakistani soldier taken hostage in 1965 War* Hussain was incarcerated in Indian jail for 40 years, subjected to torture by his captors

By Sajjad Malik

RAWALPINDI: ‘Siphai Maqbool Hussain’, a play that narrates the true story of a Pakistani soldier, Maqbool Hussain, premiered on Tuesday at the Army Auditorium.

The premiere of the play was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani, the chief guest of the event, applauded Hussain’s story for its portrayal of his valour.

Co-produced by the Inter-Services Public Relations and Interflow Communications Limited, ‘Siphai Maqbool Hussain’ touched the hearts of the spectators, as the play delineated the suffering and inhumane treatment of Hussain and the cruelty of his captors, who brutally cut his tongue.

40 years: Hussain, who was injured and taken prisoner by the Indian Army in the 1965 war, spent 40 years in Indian jails. He was released as a civilian prisoner in 2005. During his imprisonment, Hussain was subjected to terrible human rights abuses.

Hailing from Azad Kashmir, and engaged to Naseeran before joining army, Hussain’s aging mother kept waiting for his return. When she died, Hussain’s mother was buried at the entrance of the village at her request, so that she could ‘meet’ her son when he returned.

As the story unfolds, Hussain, bearing army No 335139, is shown being hit by enemy fire on the Line of Control at the start of the 1965 war. Subsequently, he is taken prisoner by the Indian army, who deny him Prisoner of War status. Trained in the traditions of the Pakistan Army, Hussain faces all the suffering and refuses to share any information about his country with his captors — so much so that when they cut out his tongue, he writes ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (long live Pakistan) in his own blood. Hussain also becomes mentally ill during his four decades of incarceration.

When the real Hussain was brought on stage at the end of the performance, he had a blank look on his face and was unable to recognise the army chief, who went on stage and shook hands with him.

I had heard of the name, but was oblivious of the autrocities behind the personality,Playing to the home audience is fine but if his cause and sufferings are not championed, then sadly his sacrifices are in vain.

You are a free soul, I am so happy,because in your freedom, you chose me as your friend.

Although I agree with you that this need to be publicized more .... however, when he was released back in 2005, this was major news item and his story was on all media outlets, both electronic and paper.

Even here on PDF we had threads running with all this information.

Surprised you missed that.

Pakistan ZINDABAAD!

People who have no hold over their process of thinking are likely to be ruined by liberty of thought. If thought is immature, liberty of thought becomes a method of converting men into animals.

It is time that I reopen the tavern of Rumi: the shaikhs of the Kaaba are lying drunk in the courtyard of the church.

Unbeliever is he who follows predestination even if he be Muslim, Faithful is he, if he himself is the Divine Destiny.

Psychologically speaking, all states, whether their content is religious or non-religious, are organically determined.

Thou art not for the earth, nor for the Heaven the world is for thee, thou art not for the world.

There is something very wrong with a country that deploys more than 50% of its Armed Forces to control an area roughly 7% of its size and inhabited by less than 1% of its population. No other country in the world utilizes such a large amount of its military resources to hold onto a land whose inhabitants don’t want to be a part of it. Sorwar

if we want to show some respect to our fellow soldier, we should have sent indian ambassador back to his country for treating Pakistani soldier like that if we couldnt attack india... i am pissed because u cannot repay this guy ever for his services to the nation... atleast let our neighbor know that this is how you will get treated if there is anymore sepoy maqbool in your country...

I have the highest respect for the people who fought for there country.

In regards to POW’s I came across some data sheet earlier which I am trying to find online, if somebody can help who be great.

India has a claim that there are Indian POW’s in Pakistan Jails and so has Pakistan claim that there are Pakistani POW’s in Indian Jails, irony is both the government of has denied this claims, point to be noted is that even if there are any POW’s still there, it is a very shameful act by the country who have denied the claims all this time and now if they release if there are any POW’s there is a huge face loose.

I feel sorry for those, if there are really any POW’s in our jails both in India and Pakistan, chances are those poor soldiers will probably will never to release.

I feel some credible media and some Ngo’s can play a big role to dig out this information about this brave souls and help give them the freedom that they deserve.

Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. As the Creator willed it, the date corresponded with the empowering night of Ramadan 27 of the year 1366 after the Prophet’s Hijra. Its great destiny was thus set from the start

If we take our inspiration and guidance from the Holy Qur’an, the final victory, I once again say, will be ours… Do not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task… You only have to develop the spirit of the Mujahids. You are a nation whose history is replete with people of wonderful character and heroism. Live up to your traditions and add to another chapter of glory. All I require of you now is that everyone… must vow to himself and be prepared to sacrifice his all… in building up Pakistan as a bulwark of Islam and as one of the greatest nations whose ideal is peace within and peace without… Islam enjoins on every Mussulman to give protection to his neighbors and to minorities regardless of caste and creed. Muhammad Ali Jinnah

There is something very wrong with a country that deploys more than 50% of its Armed Forces to control an area roughly 7% of its size and inhabited by less than 1% of its population. No other country in the world utilizes such a large amount of its military resources to hold onto a land whose inhabitants don’t want to be a part of it. Sorwar

Our brave soldier does not need accolades only. He needs help both financially and health related. I hope that has been taken care of by the army and the govt. Than can come all the ceremonies and what nots.

I will try to get information on how to send help to him financially and will try to provide some help. I suggest everyone else do that too if they can.